A/C condenser used as Oil Cooler?

[caproader]

Guys,
If I wanted to remove the A/C from a 73 T, could I reuse the front a/c condenser as a front external oil cooler? Would the a/c unit have big enough pipes to generate enough cooling capacity? Would the a/c unit be strong enough to hold the oil pressure? It seems to me that if it would work, I would have the utility of a front oil cooler while maintaining the stock appearance and at the same time, not have to deal with a 'behind the battery box" cooler. PS, I would retain the stock grill/protector that covers the a/c condensor. I'm still working on getting the oil lines to the A/C side of the car.

Or is this another one of those ideas that has previously been tried and discarded numerous times before by people with more engineering talent than I will ever have?

The Capitalist Roader
Member # 322 and proudly wearing my 'Early S' T shirt to 'Porsches 2 Oxford' tomorrow

[rick2]

I heard the oil lines have close to 1000 psi. The a/c lines hold the freon which is mainly a gas and compressor oil. It would be a shame to blow a line and loose a motor at best and burn up a car because of a fire.

[911pcars]

A/C lines are exposed to higher pressure than an oil cooler. 1000 psi is a little optimistic for oil, IMO. However the passages in an A/C condenser are probably not large enough to sustain the flow necessary w/o a meaningful pressure drop (restriction). This might result in more wear in the oil pump. These are the oil cooler combinations in front that really work, so far (caveat) in order of effectiveness (also MHO):

1. Oil cooler in front bumper and/or with add'l oil coolers, one in each front fender
2. Oil cooler in front bumper with oil cooler in one front fender
3. Oil cooler in front fender w/fan
4. Oil cooler in front fender with air holes in headlight bucket and/or valence with or w/o fan.
5. Oil cooler in front fender w/fan
6. Oil cooler in front fender w/o fan

The variables include engine size and state of tune, ambient air temperature, vehicle speed, engine rpm and load, size and efficiency of cooler(s), size of hoses and/or any combination of the above.

Sherwood